Consideration of applications5.

(1)

As soon as reasonably practicable after the appropriate closing date the Scottish Ministers shall–

(a)

reject any application they consider to be unreasonable, unnecessary or unwarranted;

(b)

identify and select for approval those applications made in pursuance of the notice published under paragraph 4(3) which satisfy the foregoing provisions of this Scheme.

(2)

Before rejecting an application under sub paragraph (1)(a) the Scottish Ministers shall–

(a)

give the applicant a written explanation of the reasons for the step proposed to be taken;

(b)

afford the applicant the opportunity of making written representations within such time as the Scottish Ministers consider reasonable; and

(c)

consider any such representations.